X INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



the future, and by closer observation and deeper 

 study enlarge our hitherto very limited knowledge 

 of Pomology. 



One great desideratum yet to be supplied is a satis- 

 factory classification of fruits. The great German 

 pomologist, Dochnahl, remarks, " Minerals, insects, 

 flowers, are all described and classed, but Pomology 

 remains a class without order or aid to gain a know- 

 ledge of it. As Botany was before the days of 

 Linnseus, so now stands Pomology." The lack of 

 more harmonious relations between the theorist and 

 the man of practice seems to be one grand cause of 

 this, for he continues, " its parent, Botany, has been 

 to it but a step-mother; and what the cultivator 

 looks on as constant and prizes as a valuable variety, 

 the botanist calls a mere accident." Now, however, 

 that gardeners more and more cultivate themselves 

 as well as their soil, and the same hand which plants 

 the tree can write all that is to be learnt about it, 

 they are likely to form more correct opinions, while 

 the professedly scientific are on the other hand likely 

 to allow more weight to their opinions, and thus a 

 better agreement may be arrived at. In our own 



